Church of San Andrés: Altars and Chapels.

We begin this brief analysis of the movable assets currently housed in the Church of San Andrés from the Gospel Nave. At the foot of this nave is the Chapel of Buen Suceso, named for containing the titular images of the young brotherhood that parades on Holy Tuesday. Noteworthy is the statue of Our Father Jesus of Buen Suceso, an anonymous 17th-century work, as well as the co-titular image of the brotherhood, Mary Most Holy of Charity, carved by Miguel Ángel González Jurado around 1991.

Nave Altars

The next sections of the nave are dominated by two altars sheltered under semicircular arches: the Altar of the Virgin of the Pillar and the Altar of Our Lady of Buen Suceso. The former, of academicist design, is made of wood imitating marble, housing the image of the Virgin, smaller than life-size. The latter is a wooden altarpiece polychromed in red and gold, with a niche holding the Virgin of Buen Suceso, a candelero-style statue depicted holding the Child Jesus in her arms.

Gospel Altarpiece

At the end of the nave, near the apse, stands the Gospel Altarpiece, an anonymous work from the late 18th century. Despite its late date of execution, this gilded wooden carving features characteristics of earlier periods, such as the use of Solomonic columns and a richly decorative style. In the central niche stands out Our Lady of the Angels, an 18th-century candelero-style image. On the side panels are two paintings of the patron saints of our city, Saint Acisclus and Saint Victoria.

Chapel of the Tabernacle

We now enter the Chapel of the Tabernacle, which, as previously mentioned, is the apse of the medieval church. At the far end is the exceptional altarpiece designed by Juan Fernández del Río in 1739; made of polychromed and gilded wood, it is presided over by a sumptuous Tabernacle topped with a broken triangular pediment, and crowning the altar is an anonymous canvas depicting the Last Supper. Equally important are the two paintings belonging to the school of Antonio del Castillo displayed here: The Adoration of the Magi and The Descent from the Cross, as well as the exceptional Immaculate Conception by Acisclo Antonio Palomino, a master among masters in the art of painting.

Old Tabernacle

To the right of the chapel is a small rectangular space covered by a Gothic ribbed vault, known as the Old Tabernacle. It features a 16th-century altarpiece made of gilded wood. The altarpiece has three tiers and three vertical panels, decorated with panel paintings except for the central panel, which is adorned with sculptures. The central image is the Virgin of the Assumption, above which an exceptional Calvary crowns the ensemble.

Altarpieces and Chapels of the Epistle Nave

Altarpiece of Saint Joseph

Complementing the Gospel Altarpiece is the Altarpiece of Saint Joseph, created in the mid-18th century. Composed of three vertical panels and two horizontal tiers, it features the use of estipites and Solomonic columns. At the center is an image of Saint Joseph with the Child Jesus holding the blossomed staff. On either side are depictions of various saints, and at the top a trompe-l’oeil painting of Pentecost completes the piece.

Chapel of Baptism

Adjoined to the epistle nave is the Chapel of Baptism, a small square space covered by a groin vault. Inside, a white marble baptismal font stands out, bearing the engraved date of 1793. Two paintings complete the room’s decoration: a Baptism of Christ from the Cordoban school, dated to the late 18th century, and a Penitent Magdalene, an anonymous 17th-century work.

Souls’ Altar

In the Epistle Nave is the Souls’ Altar, covered by a large semicircular arch. Made of polychromed and gilded wood, it houses a large painting of the Virgin helping souls escape from purgatory. The scene is divided into three parts: at the bottom, purgatory, where all types of people (kings, bishops, popes…) are depicted; in the center, the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels and saints; and completing the composition, the Holy Trinity between Saint Andrew and Saint Peter.

Chapel of Hope

At the foot of the Gospel Nave is the Chapel of Hope, which houses the titular images of the popular Brotherhood of Hope, which parades on Palm Sunday afternoon and evening. Both images, Jesus of Sorrows and Mary Most Holy of Hope, are the work of the Cordoban sculptor Juan Martínez Cerrillo.

Cultural Visit

If you wish to explore the Fernandine Churches, do not hesitate to book one of our guided tours. We will pay special attention to the Church of San Andrés. We are experts in the interpretation of Cordoba’s historical heritage. If you have chosen to go sightseeing in Cordoba, choose a quality option—choose ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.